Fundecitrus

Fundecitrus Researchers Visit Australia on Greening Mission

Daniel CooperHLB Management, International

Fundecitrus researchers Juan Arenas, Mônica Neli Alves and Sílvio Lopes recently participated in the Conference of the International Organization of Citrus Virologists in Mildura, Australia. Alves discussed research conducted by Fundecitrus exploring the use of species in the genetic improvement of citrus trees resistant to greening. Lopes presented a comparative overview of greening and citrus variegated chlorosis, two of the …

citrus seminars

Citrus Seminars Provide Research Updates

Daniel CooperEducation, Florida Citrus Show

Researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) delivered several presentations to a standing-room-only audience during the citrus seminars at the Florida Citrus Show in March. VARIETIES AND ROOTSTOCKS The citrus session began with a breeder panel discussing research on varieties and rootstocks. Participants were Manjul Dutt and Jude …

nitrogen

Nitrogen Reduction Needed in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Daniel CooperAs Seen On Instagram, Cold Hardy, Nutrition

Growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are applying too much nitrogen to their groves. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discovered that unfortunate reality while conducting a research project in North Florida. Most citrus growers were following recommendations in the UF/IFAS Florida Citrus Production Guide, which are mostly …

june

All In For Citrus Podcast, April 2025

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, PGRs, Soil Health

April is a busy month for citrus events. The Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute was held in Avon Park early in the month followed by a citrus field day at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SFWREC) in Immokalee. These events are the topic of the April episode of the …

Citrus Innovation Center

Citrus Innovation Center Opens in Florida

Daniel CooperEducation, Florida

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF) on April 9 announced the opening of the Citrus Innovation Center in Lakeland, Florida, in partnership with Florida Polytechnic University. According to IFF, the 30,000-square-foot facility “encompasses state-of-the-art capabilities in botanical research leveraging … natural ingredients expertise, processing, analytics and product creation for scent and taste.” IFF stated that the center offers job opportunities …

florida citrus

Governor Names Florida Citrus Commissioners

Daniel CooperFlorida Citrus Commission

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently appointed five new members to the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) and reappointed five members. The new appointees are Emma Ezell, Sean Frielich, Vernon Hollingsworth III, Daniel Hunt and Melanie Ressler. Steve Johnson, Carlos Martinez, William Poulton, Daniel Sutton and John “Patrick” Schirard were reappointed. The FCC is the governing board of the Florida Department of …

citrus field day

Citrus Field Day Highlights Research

Daniel CooperEvents, Research

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee hosted a citrus field day on April 10. The event showcased the research being conducted at the center. One of the tour stops featured individual protective cover (IPC) research led by Fernando Alferez, UF/IFAS associate professor of citrus horticulture. Thanks in …

encouraged

Florida Citrus Grower Feeling Encouraged

Daniel CooperEvents, Florida, HLB Management

In a time when hope can be hard to find for the Florida citrus industry, one grower left last week’s Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute feeling encouraged. Whether it was meeting with fellow growers or learning about ongoing research that has long-term ramifications, Paul Koukos felt optimistic following the April 8 meeting. “It’s always good to get together with other growers, …

cold tolerance

Gene Plays Role in Boosting Citrus Cold Tolerance

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Research

A pioneering study has uncovered the role of a key gene, PtrPAT1, in boosting cold tolerance in citrus plants by regulating the accumulation of glycine betaine (GB). This breakthrough deepens understanding of how plants cope with cold stress and opens the door to developing cold-resistant citrus varieties. Citrus plants, traditionally cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, are highly vulnerable to …

satsuma

Georgia Citrus Grower Discusses Satsuma Situation

Daniel CooperCold Hardy, Mandarins, Varieties

Georgia’s citrus industry has found its footing more than a decade into production. Whether growers can thrive for the next 10 years may depend largely on their ability to expand production beyond satsuma mandarins. “It is a work in progress. Anybody getting into it will need to consider that,” Georgia grower Buck Paulk said. “There’s a lot of unknowns with …

Growers’ Institute

Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Included Interactive Element

Daniel CooperEvents

Growers gathered in Avon Park for the annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute at South Florida Community College in early April. Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) presented updates on their work and the latest efforts to help in the fight against HLB. New this year, the scientists also hosted learning stations to further …

forecast

Citrus Crop Forecast Shows Changes in All States

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast

The April 10 citrus crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) showed increases for most citrus-producing states. FLORIDA In Florida, grapefruit and tangerine/mandarin crops climbed 8% and 14%, respectively. The Florida grapefruit crop increased by 100,000 boxes, to 1.3 million boxes. The tangerine/mandarin crop rose by 50,000 boxes, to 400,000 boxes. Florida’s orange crop …

Florida

Florida Citrus Leader Hopeful Despite Alico’s Departure

Daniel CooperHLB Management

Florida Citrus Mutual Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Joyner’s optimism about the industry’s future comes on the heels of a major citrus grower stepping out of production. Alico’s departure from the citrus industry earlier this year was a body blow to the industry, according to one industry expert. Joyner feels similarly but also believes there are extenuating …

European earwig

European Earwig May Be Threat to U.S. Citrus

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Pests

The European earwig (Forficula auricularia) has been in the United States for more than a century, thriving in all but the far southeastern states. The omnivorous arthropod has been noted as both a pest and as a beneficial insect, feeding on crops as well as on aphids. Recently, researchers have found evidence that suggests it also damages citrus groves, both …

China

Senate Bill Would Prohibit Fresh Citrus From China

Daniel CooperLegislative, Trade

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida on March 31 introduced the United States Citrus Protection Act, which would prohibit the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China. Scott stated the bill would further protect American jobs, ensure the integrity of domestic agriculture and reduce reliance on goods produced by regimes that pose a threat to the United States. …

weed management

Optimizing Weed Management in Citrus

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast, weeds

Weeds can be a menace in Florida citrus. The state is home to diverse weed species and is the perfect environment for weeds to grow. Ramdas Kanissery, a weed scientist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, discusses weed management challenges in the March All In For Citrus podcast. …

marketing

Florida Citrus Commission Updated on Marketing Campaigns

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing, Orange Juice

Representatives of the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) and its marketing agency, Padilla, reported on various marketing campaigns at the March 26 meeting of the Florida Citrus Commission. Tina Charpentier of Padilla said the FDOC is on track to meet or exceed its attributed sales goal of $25 million for the year, achieving 65% of that level as of March …

consumer

Consumer Perceptions of Citrus Biotechnology Are Critical

Daniel CooperTechnology

Scientists see genetic editing — and in particular CRISPR technology — as a potential way to rescue Florida citrus from HLB disease, but consumer perceptions of the technology are key. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) Bachir Kassas is working to assess consumer acceptance of biotechnology. Kassas is an assistant professor in the UF/IFAS Department …

juice market

Juice Market Brings Questions for Georgia Citrus Growers

Tacy CalliesCold Hardy, Georgia, Orange Juice

Expansion into the juice market may unlock a profitable marketing opportunity for Georgia citrus growers. But questions remain before growers can start planning this new course of action, says Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association. “Hamlins and perhaps some early-season Valencias would work here in Georgia,” Savelle said. One question Georgia growers have about entering the juice …

japanese

Forecast for Japanese Citrus

Daniel CooperCrop Forecast, International

Production and trade of Japanese citrus was detailed in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) report.  GRAPEFRUIT Japan produces negligible amounts of grapefruit. However, it produces several domestic and unique pomelo or grapefruit-like citrus varieties such as buntan, a type of pomelo. These grapefruit-like varieties are popular among elderly consumers in Japan. The harvested area …